Joey Barrington carries on the squash dynasty

By Andrew Baker

12:01AM BST 08 May 2008

A quarter of a century ago, squash was a huge participation sport in Britain. Thrusting young executives did their networking on sports club courts, while on the international stage the British passion for the game was exemplified by the swashbuckling, moustachioed figure of Jonah Barrington.

Now the game is rising once more in the public's perception, aided by improved television technology and glass-walled courts which can be dismantled and moved from tournament to tournament.

It also helps that British players are riding the crest of a wave in international competition. Last week, at the European Championships in Amsterdam, England won the men's and women's titles and, though the opposition will be stronger, more success can be expected at this week's British Open in Liverpool.

While Mansoor Zaman of Pakistan, the biggest name in squash, is the favourite to win on Merseyside, another famous player will be keen to make a good impression: Joey Barrington, son of Jonah and a rising force in the game. Barrington Jnr made his debut for England in Amsterdam and has recently been ranked in the top 30 in the world. The resemblance to his father is striking, though the hair is longer and the moustache is, thankfully, absent.

It is, Barrington feels, a good time to be a British squash player. "The game is changing all the time," he said. "My father made it accessible to the public in his playing time, but now that television is starting to do it justice I think it's coming back into the public eye. It's starting to get interesting again."